Beefeaters

The Yeomen Warders of Her Majesty's Royal

Palace and Fortress the Tower of London,
popularly known as the Beefeaters, are
ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London.

They are responsible for guarding the British crown jewels, but in
practice they are tour guides and are tourist attraction.

Yeoman Warders began guarding the Tower in 1485;

today there are 35 Yeomen Warders and one Chief
Warder.
All warders are retired from the British Armed Forces
and must have at least 22 years of service.

They are called beefeaters because they got a

very large portion of beef every day in the
past.

The Yeomen Warders normally wear a

uniform of dark blue with red lines.
When the queen visits the Tower, or the
warders are on duty at a special occasion,
they wear red and gold uniforms
The Yeoman Warders and their families
live in houses inside the Tower of
London.